Random Questions Flashcards
A company is considering implementing a BYOD policy. What is the most significant security risk to consider?
A. Increased hardware costs
B. Reduced network performance
C. Possible data leakage
D. Potential for decreased productivity
C.
A. Increased hardware costs: This refers to the situation where the costs associated with hardware infrastructure, such as servers, networking equipment, or storage devices, rise. It could be due to factors like increased demand, technological advancements, or specific requirements of the organization.
B. Reduced network performance: This indicates a decline in the speed, efficiency, or reliability of a computer network. It can be caused by various factors such as congestion, bandwidth limitations, hardware/software issues, or excessive network traffic, resulting in slower data transfer, latency, or disruptions in communication.
C. Possible data leakage: Data leakage refers to the unauthorized or accidental exposure of sensitive information. It can occur through deliberate actions by malicious actors or due to inadvertent mishandling of data. Data leakage poses risks to privacy, confidentiality, and can result in reputational damage or financial loss for individuals or organizations.
D. Potential for decreased productivity: This suggests a scenario where the level of productivity or efficiency in an individual or organization may decline. Various factors can contribute to decreased productivity, including distractions, poor work processes, lack of motivation, inadequate resources, or disruptions caused by technical issues or security incidents. Decreased productivity can have a negative impact on output and overall performance.
A security analyst observes a huge amount of ICMP echo reply (ping) traffic coming from multiple sources to a
single destination within the network. What type of attack is most likely occurring?
A. Man-in-the-Middle attack
B. Smurf attack
C. Fraggle attack
D. Ping of Death attack
B
A. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack: In a MitM attack, an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties without their knowledge. The attacker positions themselves between the legitimate parties, intercepting and possibly modifying the data exchanged. This attack can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the communication.
B. Smurf attack: A Smurf attack is a type of network amplification attack where an attacker sends a large number of Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo requests (ping) to an IP broadcast address. This causes all devices within that network to respond simultaneously, overwhelming the targeted network and causing it to slow down or become unavailable.
C. Fraggle attack: A Fraggle attack is similar to a Smurf attack but uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) instead of ICMP. The attacker sends a large number of UDP echo requests to IP broadcast addresses, triggering multiple responses from devices within the network. This floods the network and can cause disruption or denial of service.
D. Ping of Death attack: In a Ping of Death attack, the attacker sends malformed or oversized Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) packets to a target computer or network device. These packets exceed the normal size limits, causing buffer overflow or system crashes in vulnerable systems, leading to denial of service or potential system compromise. This attack exploits vulnerabilities in the way systems handle oversized ICMP packets.
Which protocol is vulnerable to sniffing attacks because it transmits usernames and passwords in cleartext?
A. SSH
B. FTP
C. HTTPS
D. SNMP
B
A. SSH (Secure Shell): SSH is a secure network protocol used for secure remote access and secure file transfers over an unsecured network. It provides encrypted communication between a client and a server, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted data. SSH is commonly used for secure remote administration of servers and secure file transfers.
B. FTP (File Transfer Protocol): FTP is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server on a computer network. It allows users to upload, download, and manage files on a remote server. FTP operates in clear text, meaning the data transferred is not encrypted by default, making it less secure compared to other protocols like SSH or HTTPS.
C. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): HTTPS is an extension of the standard HTTP protocol used for secure communication over a computer network. It combines the HTTP protocol with the SSL/TLS encryption protocols to provide secure data transfer between a client (web browser) and a server. HTTPS is commonly used for secure transactions, such as online banking, e-commerce, and secure browsing on the web.
D. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol): SNMP is a protocol used for network management and monitoring of devices on an IP network. It allows network administrators to collect information, monitor performance, and manage network devices like routers, switches, and servers. SNMP operates on UDP and provides a standardized framework for network device communication and management.
A company has a policy that requires all mobile devices to be encrypted. What is the primary purpose of this policy?
A. To prevent data loss if a device is physically lost or stolen
B. To ensure the devices cannot be used for personal tasks
C. To prevent unauthorized access to the corporate Wi-Fi network
D. To ensure all software on the devices is up to date
A
A cybersecurity analyst is reviewing a series of failed login attempts on the company’s user portal. The attempts appear to be using common usernames and passwords. Which type of attack is most likely being attempted?
A. DDoS attack
B. Phishing attack
C. Brute force attack
D. Watering hole attack
C
A. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack: A DDoS attack is an attempt to overwhelm a target system or network with a flood of illegitimate traffic from multiple sources. The goal is to exhaust the target’s resources and make it inaccessible to legitimate users. This is typically done by utilizing a botnet, a network of compromised computers, to generate the massive volume of traffic.
B. Phishing attack: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where an attacker poses as a trustworthy entity to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, or personal data. Attackers often use deceptive emails, messages, or websites that appear legitimate to trick users into providing their confidential information.
C. Brute force attack: A brute force attack is a trial-and-error method used by attackers to gain access to a system or encrypted data by systematically trying all possible combinations of passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is found. This method relies on the assumption that the password or key is weak or can be easily guessed.
D. Watering hole attack: A watering hole attack is a targeted attack where an attacker compromises a website that is frequently visited by the intended victims. The attacker injects malicious code into the website, which then infects the devices of visitors when they access the compromised site. This attack leverages the trust users have in the website, making it more likely for them to fall victim to the injected malware.
These attacks represent different methods used by malicious individuals to exploit vulnerabilities, deceive users, or disrupt systems for various malicious purposes. It is crucial to employ appropriate security measures, such as strong passwords, user education, anti-malware software, and network monitoring, to defend against these attacks.
Which of the following symmetric encryption algorithms is considered to be the most secure?
A. DES
B. RC4
C. AES
D. 3DES
C
A. DES (Data Encryption Standard): DES is a symmetric encryption algorithm that was widely used in the past but is now considered relatively weak due to its small key size. It operates on 64-bit blocks of data and uses a 56-bit key. DES encrypts data using a series of rounds, applying a combination of substitution and permutation operations. Due to advancements in computing power, DES is no longer recommended for secure encryption purposes.
B. RC4: RC4 is a symmetric stream cipher algorithm that gained popularity due to its simplicity and efficiency. It operates by generating a keystream based on a variable-length key and then XOR-ing it with the plaintext to produce the ciphertext. However, RC4 is now considered vulnerable to attacks, and its usage is strongly discouraged in modern cryptographic applications.
C. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard): AES is a symmetric encryption algorithm widely recognized as a secure and efficient choice. It supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits and operates on 128-bit blocks of data. AES employs a substitution-permutation network that iterates multiple rounds to provide strong encryption. It is widely adopted for various encryption needs, including securing sensitive data, protecting communications, and ensuring the integrity of information.
D. 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard): 3DES is a symmetric encryption algorithm that applies DES three times in succession with different keys. It was introduced as a way to enhance the security of DES by increasing the key size. Each encryption stage applies DES in a “encrypt-decrypt-encrypt” pattern. While 3DES provides improved security compared to DES, it is slower and less efficient than newer encryption algorithms like AES. As a result, AES is generally recommended over 3DES for new cryptographic implementations.
These encryption algorithms have different properties and levels of security, with AES being the most secure and recommended choice for modern cryptographic applications. It is important to consider the encryption algorithm’s strength, key size, and suitability for specific use cases when implementing secure data protection.
What does a rootkit primarily target?
A. Network traffic
B. User data
C. Operating system
D. Firewall rules
C
A. Network traffic: Network traffic refers to the data that flows over a computer network, such as the internet or a local area network (LAN). It includes various types of data packets, such as web requests, emails, file transfers, video streams, and more. Network traffic can be analyzed and monitored to understand network behavior, detect anomalies, and ensure proper functioning of network services.
B. User data: User data refers to the information generated, processed, or stored by users on computer systems, applications, or online platforms. This can include personal information, files, documents, images, videos, messages, and any other data created or accessed by users. Protecting user data is crucial to maintain privacy, confidentiality, and security.
C. Operating system: An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer hardware and provides a platform for running applications. It acts as an intermediary between users, applications, and the underlying hardware. The OS handles tasks such as managing memory, file systems, input/output devices, and providing security mechanisms. Examples of operating systems include Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
D. Firewall rules: Firewall rules are a set of predefined or customizable configurations that control the traffic flow between different networks or devices. Firewalls are network security devices that monitor and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic based on these rules. The firewall rules define what types of network traffic are allowed or blocked, helping to protect systems from unauthorized access, malware, and other network-based threats. These rules can be based on criteria such as source/destination IP addresses, ports, protocols, and application-specific characteristics.
A cybersecurity analyst has discovered that an attacker has been moving laterally within the network. What is
the BEST next step?
A. Implement a honeypot
B. Disconnect the entire network
C. Perform a risk assessment
D. Contain the compromise
D
A. Implement a honeypot: A honeypot is a decoy system or network designed to attract and lure attackers. By implementing a honeypot, organizations can gather information about potential threats, tactics, and vulnerabilities. It acts as a trap, diverting the attention of attackers and providing valuable insights for improving security measures.
B. Disconnect the entire network: Disconnecting the entire network refers to isolating the compromised network or systems from the rest of the network infrastructure. This action helps prevent further spread of the compromise and limits the attacker’s ability to move laterally within the network. By disconnecting the compromised systems, organizations can contain the incident and minimize potential damage.
C. Perform a risk assessment: Risk assessment involves identifying, analyzing, and evaluating potential risks and vulnerabilities within an organization’s systems and processes. It helps organizations understand their security posture, assess the likelihood and impact of threats, and prioritize mitigation efforts. Performing a risk assessment enables proactive identification of weaknesses and the implementation of appropriate security controls.
D. Contain the compromise: Containing the compromise involves taking immediate action to isolate the compromised systems or network segments to prevent further damage. This can include disconnecting affected systems, blocking suspicious network traffic, and implementing security controls to restrict unauthorized access. By containing the compromise, organizations can limit the attacker’s foothold and prevent the incident
SN: While disconnecting the entire network may seem like a plausible option to contain a compromise, it is generally considered an extreme measure and not the best immediate response in most cases. Disconnecting the entire network would cause a complete disruption of services, impacting legitimate users and potentially causing financial and operational losses.
You’ve hired a third-party to gather information about your company’s
servers and data. The third-party will not have direct access to your
internal network but can gather information from any other source.
Which of the following would BEST describe this approach?
❍ A. Backdoor testing
❍ B. Passive footprinting
❍ C. OS fingerprinting
❍ D. Partially known environment
B
B.Passive footprinting focuses on learning as much information from
open sources such as social media, corporate websites, and business
organizations.
The incorrect answers:
A. Backdoor testing
Some active reconnaissance tests will directly query systems to see if a
backdoor has been installed.
C. OS fingerprinting
To fingerprint an operating system, you must actively query and receive
responses across the network.
D. Partially known environment
A partially known environment penetration test is a focused approach
that usually provides detailed information about specific systems or applciations.
